Disking of Improved Rangeland to Increase Wildlife Food Plants

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine effects of 3 intensities of soil disturbance by disking on abundance of wildlife food plants in improved rangeland. No disking (control) and I, 2, and 3 passes with an 11-foot offset disk were replicated in improved pastures dominated by either Rhodesgrass (Chloris gayana), buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris), or Kleberg bluestem (Dichanthium annulatum). Plots were disked in May 1984. At I, 2, 4, 10, 15, and 17 months after disking, percent canopy cover of perennial grasses on plots disked with 3 passes was lower than that on control plots. Percent canopy cover of annual forbs was higher on plots disked with 3 passes 7 and 10months after treatment. Disking did not affect the growth of annual grasses, perennial forbs, and shrubs. We recommend disking with 3 passes to increase abundance of annual forbs and reduce perennial grasses in improved rangeland.